Police chiefs banned from HQ in 'jobs for family' probe

The Yorkshire Post can reveal that North Yorkshire Chief Constable Grahame Maxwell allegedly phoned one of his relatives who was trying to join the force after thousands of people were unable to get through to a recruitment hotline which had crashed under the weight of calls.

Mr Maxwell is now the subject of an inquiry by the Independent Police Complaints Commission after the chaotic attempt by North Yorkshire Police to recruit 60 new officers.

Mr Maxwell and Deputy Chief Constable Adam Briggs are being allowed to remain in post pending the outcome of the inquiry, but both have been advised by North Yorkshire Police Authority to stay away from force headquarters at Newby Wiske to ensure its integrity.

The force, which is currently dealing with two murder inquiries, was swamped by telephone applications for a limited number of recruitment packs last month, causing dedicated phonelines to crash.

Packs were to only be available to the first 1,000 suitable applicants, but the force ultimately received around 350,000 calls with thousands of people making repeat calls in a desperate attempt to get through.

A small number are understood to have managed to leave their details when the lines were effectively down. When the dedicated phonelines were re-established, call operators were asked to phone those who had previously left details – if they had time away from incoming calls.

The small number of names on the list included relatives of both Mr Maxwell and Mr Briggs.

Demand was so great that when the phones were running again, senior officers, including Mr Maxwell and Mr Briggs, took time out to help man the lines. It is alleged Mr Maxwell's assistance involved calling numbers on the call-back list, including his relative.

The existence of the list was discovered when police began a separate inquiry into two workers in the human resources department who are alleged to have attempted to circumvent the process. Those workers have been suspended.

It is understood the IPCC investigation will focus on how the list came into existence and how the names of the two relatives came to be on it.

IPCC Commissioner Nicholas Long described the allegations against the two senior officers as "extremely concerning".

He added: "As they concern the integrity of the two most senior officers in North Yorkshire Police, it is in the public interest that the IPCC is involved. I will therefore ensure that a thorough investigation is conducted."

An IPCC statement said there were technical problems on two nights.

"It is alleged the chief constable, Grahame Maxwell, gave assistance to one of his own relatives and a relative of deputy chief constable Adam Briggs. It is also alleged DCC Briggs gave assistance to that same relative," it said.

"Additionally, and separately, two police staff members are alleged to have used their positions to circumvent the initial phase to benefit themselves and one other person."

Mr Maxwell and Mr Briggs issued a statement which said: "We welcome the involvement of the IPCC and the appointment of an independent investigator to look into this matter. We have nothing to hide and have already provided a report into the circumstances to our police authority.

"We will of course fully co-operate with the inquiry and will await its outcome when we will then be in a position to explain what has gone on.

"In the meantime we will continue to do the thing we love and are passionate about – leading North Yorkshire Police and delivering policing to the communities of North Yorkshire and the City of York."

The police authority, which referred the matter to the IPCC, had considered suspending the officers but decided against it.

A police authority spokeswoman said: "The authority has, however, taken steps to ensure that the integrity of the investigative process is secured and for the time being, both officers will carry out their duties at a distance from Police Headquarters."

North Yorkshire Police said if any applicant was found to have gained an unfair advantage their application would be blocked.